Then-sophomore second baseman Kevin Goergen tries to tag out then-Lansing Lugnuts outfielder Chris Hawkins during the seventh annual Crosstown Showdown on May 1, 2013, at the Cooley Law School Stadium in Lansing. The Spartans lost 10-2.
Lansing — MSU baseball head coach Jake Boss Jr. wanted to give the MSU baseball team a game they could tell their kids and grandkids about.
When the MSU baseball team traveled to Cooley Law School Stadium for the seventh-annual Crosstown Showdown against the Lansing Lugnuts Wednesday night, he accomplished that goal.
Although the Spartans lost, 10-2, Boss said it was all about the experience against the Class-A Minor League affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays.
“They understand that the majority of them aren’t going to be able to play on a stage like this in their lifetime after they’re done at Michigan State,” Boss said. “They understand what the game is about too. It’s an exhibition game, so it’s a time to go out and relax and let it all hang out.”
MSU went down in order in the top of the first inning, while the Lugnuts scored a pair of runs in the bottom half.
Both teams played well through the second and third innings until the top of the fourth when sophomore Jimmy Pickens doubled off the right field wall and then sophomore Blaise Salter doubled to center field to drive in the only two runs for the Spartans.
In Salter’s first two at-bats, he got two hits, but he said the pitcher adjusted to him quicker than in the college ranks.
“They make that adjustment real quick pitch to pitch, whereas some college guys take a few innings to get adjusted,” Salter said. “It’s a little bit harder because you don’t see many college guys throwing mid 90s. It’s a little bit different to see good pitching like that.”
The Lugnuts came back in the bottom of the fourth with an offensive explosion.
They put the game out of reach and scored six runs on four hits and an error and left the bases loaded, and went through three Spartan pitchers in the inning.
Lansing picked up one more run in the bottom of the sixth inning, but only after the MSU started putting in reserve players.
Boss again stressed the experience the young players were getting when taking the field or stepping into the batters box.
“We moved some guys around a little bit and put some guys in some different positions,” Boss said. “Maybe it’s not fair to them to do that in a game like this. (I was) trying to get everybody in the lineup or give everybody an at-bat or half inning in the field, so they can all experience this.”
Even Salter said seeing seldom-used freshmen such as Ryan Williams and James Sullivan get an at-bat in the Spartan uniform.
“It makes me real happy to see those guys go out and play a little bit and get a chance because they work as hard as we do,” Salter said. They just don’t get the opportunities, but when they go in the game, their face lights up and it makes me happy.”
One of the most obvious changes was seeing Pickens, who normally patrols the outfield behind the plate.
With Salter mostly being the designated hitter and senior John Martinez out with an injury, Boss wanted to have a backup for starter, senior Joel Fisher.
“Jimmy Pickens, I felt like he needed to catch a little bit,” Boss said. “He caught in high school and hasn’t gone since. If Fisher goes down, he’s probably the guy, so he needs to get some game innings in.”
The Spartans finish up their Big Ten home season against Illinois this weekend at McLane Stadium beginning Friday at 3:05 p.m.
Boss admitted that the season has flown by, but said that doesn’t give the Spartans an excuse to finish on a low note.
Support student media! Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism.
“It’s an odd schedule where we go on the road the last two weekends, but it is what it is and we’re excited to play at home this weekend,” he said.
